Nothing compares to the look and feel of a hardwood floor, which is why hardwood is such a major selling point in the real estate market. Many people opt to install new hardwood floors in their homes or replace existing ones if they become damaged.
While the beauty of the finished product cannot be denied, the installation process can be quite an undertaking and homeowners need to be prepared for all of the steps involved and any possible complications that may arise. The better you understand the entire process, the more you’ll be prepared to handle it all, and the more smoothly it can go for you and your family.
Here’s what to expect when you have hardwood floors installed in your home.
Choosing Your Floor
The first step in the process is choosing your flooring. The type of wood and finish that you choose can affect the amount of time involved in the overall installation process. Some woods are harder than others and may take to stains and finishes easier, meaning the amount of time required for those steps may not be as long.
The size and layout of the room where the floor is being installed can also make a difference. The larger the floor and the more complicated the layout, with lots of intricate corners and edges, the more labor-intensive the installation is likely to be. You should be sure to talk through all of these things with your contractor before installation to make sure that you have the most accurate possible estimate of the time and expense involved.
Preparing The Room
Once you have chosen your flooring and finishes, the next step is preparing the room for installation. This will necessitate removing all furnishings, rugs, and draperies as well as anything hanging on the walls. That way the flooring team will have all the room they need to move and you will be able to minimize the potential damage to your belongings.
Since installing hardwood requires several rounds of sanding, there will be quite a bit of sawdust produced, and by removing your belongings from the room you can prevent them from becoming covered in dust.
You’ll want to keep all pets out of the room and you and your family will also have to stay off the floor and may even need to be completely out of the house for a day or two during installation, depending on the type of finish that is used.
The amount of preparation required before installation can also vary depending on the status of your home. In new homes, the house should be finished up to the drywall stage, with windows and HVAC system installed and operational for up to a week so that the home can be brought up to normal livable temperature.
Whether the home is new or not, the flooring material will need to be delivered about three days before installation so that it can acclimate to the temperature and humidity level of the home.
Installing The Floor
Once everything has been prepared, the installation itself can begin. Again, this can be an intricate process, depending on the condition of the subfloor of the room. As the wood is attached directly to the subflooring, any discrepancies in the subfloor can affect the overall look of the finished floor. It may be necessary to remove glue and previous flooring if hardwood is being replaced.
In new homes, the floor may have to be floated to ensure that it is level. Since wood can expand and contract over time, particularly in weather extremes, leveling is always a concern with hardwood floors. The more care that’s taken to ensure levelness during installation, the more likely it is that the floor will stay level over time.
Sanding The Floor
Once the floor is installed, it will then be necessary to sand it. Sanding helps to prepare the boards to take the finish coat and can also help to ensure flatness and smoothness. While the levelness of a floor is dependent on the physical makeup of the subflooring, the terms “flatness” and “smoothness” apply to the sanding and indicate how smooth and even to the touch a floor is after sanding.
The goal for any installation is to end up with a finished product that is as smooth and even as possible. It will often require several rounds of sanding before the ultimate result is achieved.
Applying The Finish
After the floor is thoroughly sanded, it’s time to apply the finish coat. A finish is a clear topcoat that is applied in order to protect the wood from everyday wear and tear. There are different types of finishes available and the type you choose can depend on a number of factors, including the type of wood you’re using, the traffic pattern in the room, and the environmental conditions.
Some types of finish have stronger fumes than others and may also take longer to dry and this will indicate how much time will be required before you can use the room or even be in the home itself. The general recommendation is to wait at least 1-2 days after installation before walking on the floors.
You should also wait to replace rugs and furniture in the room until the finish is completely dry and the floors have settled. You may need to wait as long as 30 days before placing any rugs to avoid causing spots to form.
The Final Product
Since wood is a natural substance there are likely to be some imperfections in the finished product, such as whorls, knots, and grain lines. These can vary depending on the type of wood used and should be considered a part of its natural beauty.
It’s also important to remember that the installation process is a manual one, so it may result in a “handcrafted” final appearance, with buffer swirls, sanding marks, and other markings. Again, this should all be considered part of the unique look of hardwood flooring.
Finally, you need to realize that no two hardwood floors are exactly the same. No matter how careful the installation process is, the ultimate durability and performance of your floor will depend on the traffic pattern of your household and the softness of the wood itself. The softer the floor, the more likely it will be to display scratches and dents over time.
With all of this in mind, you should be well prepared to experience the installation process and ready to handle all of the various steps with ease. If you have any specific questions, you should always discuss them with your contractor before the job begins. With the right approach to installation, you and your family will be able to enjoy your beautiful hardwood floors for many years to come.
